Breakfast 06: Elena Muratore

Elena has invited me to meet her at a Sicilian bakery / ice-cream parlour called “Ciuri Ciuri” which is located in via Leonina, the Monti area of Rome. We meet in front if it at 11 and take a seat inside. It’s a small place but very welcoming and we are almost the only people in there at this hour of a sunny Monday morning. The waitress comes and asks what we want and I ask Elena to recommend something. Laughing she says “Since I am Sicilian, just see where I’ve brought you!” and it was then I discovered that Elena is Sicilian. We order coffee and some typical Sicilian pastries.

Originally from Siracusa, she came to Rome to study, joining her brother (who was a jurisprudence student). Elena chose to study DAMS (A course in Art, Music and Performing Arts) and she graduated a couple of years ago. She is in the process of writing her thesis to graduate in May as a specialist in cinema, she hopes. She is writing about Wim Wenders, a German director who directed “The Sky Above Berlin” amongst many other films. Before coming to Rome, Elena had a pen friend here who she came to visit often, taking advantage of this to go to concerts.

We talk a little about one of the differences I’ve noticed between Brits and Italians – the fact that in Italy they always talk about the Director of the film, whereas in Britain we talk about actors. “It’s not so strange,” Elena explains “in Italy we grow up with great directors such as Fellini, Antonioni, and Bertolucci, unfortunately at the expense of the actors – so when we talk about films we always ask ‘who’s it by?’ rather than ‘who’s in it?’ In Britain, perhaps you have more famous real actors, stars at an international level.”

While she’s studying she’s also working: “My dad didn’t want me to work before I graduate” she says “but it was important for me to start to be independent (even if it is difficult). Currently I divide my time between independent theatrical projects and videos and a part-time job at a literary bar… in both cases: production and organisation.”

One of the projects in which she participated recently was as executive producer on the set of the video “La mia professoressa di italiano” (“My Italian teacher” by the Roman singer songwriter Ilenia Volpe. I tell her that in my opinion she was very professional, organising everything quietly but firmly. “I’m not an artist. I don’t have any special talents,” she says “but I like doing this type of work.” I tell her that it really is a talent to be able to work as I saw her on Ilenia’s video set. There are not many people who can manage others. “Really I’m rather shy” she says and we discover that we are similar in this respect, that we prefer to talk one on one whereas in groups we have a tendency to remain silent.

“Working alongside a director gives you a lot,” she says “but at the same time as being ingenious they can be difficult to manage. I provide artists with the clarity and objectivity sometimes needed to make choices. I’m a little bit like the Wizard of Oz, who behind the scenes organises everything without being seen.” I suggest that it is she who gives substance to others’ dreams… she laughs (denying it), a laugh which just as before, comes naturally like music.

_________________________________________

a part time lover and a full time friend
_________________________________________

She has a quote on her Facebook profile: a part time lover and a full time friend. “I stole it from a film called Juno,” she says “I believe that friendship is a constant in life while love can be more variable. Friendship is very important to me and I’m very lucky to have a “second family” here in Rome – when we have difficulties we can contact each other whenever. This is why I am a full time friend.” We also talk about love, but I won’t talk about that here. “I didn’t want to talk about love, but you’ve put me at my ease” she confesses – I’m glad that I have done my “job” well!

At the end, Elena offers me breakfast (“you’re my guest!”). I recommend this place to everyone, both for the honest prices and for the incredible delicious pastries.! I have another appointment in two hours and it doesn’t make sense for me to return home first. Elena isn’t in a hurry either so we go for a little walk in the beautiful streets of Monti. Just like Stella the other day, Elena loves this area: “When you suggested breakfast together” she says “I knew immediately that I had to bring you here.” She then tells me that “Ciuri ciuri” literally means “Flowers flowers” and comes from a famous Sicilian song about the end of love and a girl who wants to give back all the flowers she received.” We say our goodbyes at the entrance to the metro and she gives me a big hug saying she hopes this will be the beginning of a friendship. I would say I don’t hope, I know.